Missing Boater And 2 Young Children Rescued 12 Miles Off Scituate Coast

SCITUATE (CBS) – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a missing boater, his two young children and their disabled boat off the coast of Scituate early Monday morning.

The agency said 39-year-old Mike Ryan and his two sons, ages 5 and 6, left from Plymouth around 10 a.m. Sunday in a 20-foot Wellcraft on a trip to Provincetown. On the trip back, the boat broke down halfway between Plymouth and Provincetown. A relative called for help around 11 p.m. and the Coast Guard launched a large search using an airplane, helicopter and three small boats.

The helicopter crew found Ryan's boat around 3:30 a.m. Monday about 12 miles off the coast of Scituate. Its engine was dead.

A rescuer was lowered down from the helicopter to make sure it was exactly who they were looking for. The helicopter then stayed on the scene until a boat could reach the family and tow them and the boat back to shore just before 6:30 a.m. They are said to be OK.

"The people were probably a little bit cold. But they did have jackets, life jackets and the safety gear required of them and that's why they arrived here this morning in great shape," Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer T.J. Malvesti told reporters.

"The big takeaway and the success of this mission, being able to find them, was the fact that somebody on land knew where they were, where they were going, what time they should have been home," Malvesti said. "He did everything right, filing a float plan. His family knew where he was."

Ryan's stepfather and mother were relieved after the rescue. "It was anxious, we were worried," said John Shepard, Ryan's stepfather. "We were all worried, I had to call my wife she's in Florida to tell her. But thank God they are OK."

The Coast Guard recommends that all boats not only have life-jackets, which are required, but also a VHF radio and flares.